VinFuture Prize announces record nominations for 2025 season

In Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 22, 2025, the VinFuture Prize, a prominent global award focusing on scientific advancements, successfully concluded its nomination period for the fifth season. This season, it received an impressive total of 1,705 nominations, marking a significant increase in participation and underscoring the growing global interest in science and technology solutions. This year also saw a remarkable growth in the number of official nominating partners, now at 14,772, a twelvefold increase from the inaugural season, which had just 1,200 partners. The diversity of nominations reflects a broad range of critical areas essential for human well-being and sustainable development. Among these fields are medicine and healthcare, encompassing 36.7% of the nominations, followed by energy, transportation, and construction at 17.8%, and environment and earth sciences, also at 17.8%. Agriculture and food innovations made up 11.3% of the nominations. Many of the nominators are distinguished scientists, with 1,395 being among the top 2% most highly cited researchers worldwide. Their participation highlights the collaborative efforts in driving scientific advancements that can improve global standards of living. The Prize’s rigorous evaluation process is set to commence on May 26, 2025, and will continue through to August 31, 2025. This evaluation, aiming for high scientific integrity and transparency, will be conducted by a dedicated committee who will assess nominations based on scientific or technological advancement, impact on people’s lives, and overall project scale and sustainability. This process underscores the commitment of VinFuture to uphold an esteemed recognition standard, as evidenced by past laureates, including notable figures such as Dr. Katalin Karikó and Prof. Drew Weissman, who were awarded for significant contributions to medicine. The VinFuture Prize’s establishment and growth can be largely attributed to its foundational mission to support and recognize groundbreaking innovations that address pressing global challenges. Founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong and his wife, Mrs. Pham Thu Huong, the Prize promotes a vision where science and technology intersect with societal needs. Its expansion not only amplifies its reputation within the international scientific community but also enhances investment in research and development, paving the way for transformative innovations that benefit humanity at large.